PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Orbiting on Final
View Single Post
Old 12th Jul 2007, 12:43
  #7 (permalink)  
Fright Level
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: one dot low as usual
Age: 66
Posts: 536
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
There is another way to look at this, although described as an "orbit" so most people imagine a 360 turn at low level, my view is that if asked to do so and only if 1,000 AGL or above, I break off in the direction requested to fly a short crosswind leg, then turn downwind to get a view of the faster traffic that's passing me (and to leave enough room before I turn "base" and join finals again behind him).

It's nothing complicated, just a "mini" circuit. If the manoeuvre was required for spacing for traffic ahead, then a 360 orbit at or above 1,000 feet AGL is no problem. I don't change the config of the a/c at all, just apply enough power to stop the a/c descending and go all the way round.

Below 1,000 feet, follow a standard missed approach and fly accordingly telling the tower that I'm unable to orbit.
Fright Level is offline